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Welcome to the new home of Lee's Summit Tribune. We are dedicated to providing you the most current and accurate news and events in Lee's Summit
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From the Editor
August 27, 2011
Several months ago, as I was discussing the “trash issue” with Senator Will Kraus, I predicted the community upheaval that has now come to pass. Actually, we have been covering trash since April 6. I question what the real issue is: irritation with ‘big brother’ city telling the citizenship what to do, fear that a resident’s cost will increase or a combination of both?
A recent email exchange between one concerned citizen, some city council members, State Representative for the 55th District Sheila Solon and Blue Springs resident Ron Fowler (also member of the Blue Springs City Council) raised a lot of emotion this past week.
Lee’s Summit resident Jim Whitaker began the exchange with a letter to the editor of both the Lee’s Summit Tribune and the Journal. He then sent an email expressing his concern to Lee’s Summit City Council members and others.
Mr. Whitaker believes that America ensures Freedom of Choice, and that a common trash provider restricts that freedom. He raises several resulting issues, loss of jobs, free enterprise, cost and also a few hackles.
As a result of my previous discussion with Senator Kraus, I contacted State Representative Solon asking her to share what happened to HB 918, the “Freedom of Trash Act” she introduced in the last legislative session. After I forwarded her response to Mr. Whitaker, he included it the ongoing email stream. Then Ron Fowler joined in, and it became a Jackson County discussion.
While several City Council members chose not to respond, Whitaker was able to press others to get engaged. First to respond was Councilman Brian Whitley, who seemed to be very focused on whether or not we legally have freedom of choice and continued to push for a face-to-face meeting with Whitaker to discuss the issue.
Councilman Jim Hallam stepped in to focus on the RFP process and assured everyone that if the response does not reduce cost, he will be against a designated trash provider. He also decried the voter apathy within the community.
Then Fowler weighed in, expressing concern that his citizen rights are being taken away. Councilman Dave Mosby seems to believe that the people’s choice is important, and that if you are going for the best cost, the HOAs need to be included. Councilman Ed Cockrell is focused on the economics and elevating the level of discussion.
My bottom line?
1. The City Council should be well aware that citizens who are paying attention are strongly opposed to a designated trash hauler.
2. Loss of jobs and free enterprise do not seem to be considered relevant in this issue.
3 Trash haulers will have a great deal to balance; this is going to cost them.
4. City Council members have their own opinions and it will be interesting to see the political maneuvering.
5. Should citizens of Lee's Summit have the right to vote?
6. It’s all trash talk until the RFP is returned.
Will you attend a “town haul” meeting sponsored by the Tribune that includes all City Council members, State Representatives, other government officials and trash haulers?
Linda Ahern
Lee’s Summit Tribune
Owner/Publisher
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